These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. In addition, there are times when VA can rate veterans outside of the rating schedule. VA often denies service connection for degenerative disc disease based on an examiners finding that a veterans condition is due to normal wear and tear and the natural progression of aging rather than their time in service. Just fill out the form and we will forward what benefits the VA is paying for an asthma condition and how best to prove your need for disability compensation, along with other information and news about burn pit exposure. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. A spinal fusion procedure is usually performed in order to relieve pain and allow the spine to heal. Just fill out the form and we will forward what benefits the VA is paying for a chronic sinusitis condition and how best to prove your need for disability compensation, along with other information and news about burn pit exposure. . Veterans Serving Veterans Dont give up. When the involvement is wholly sensory, the rating should befor the mild, or at most, the moderate degree. Service Connection Questions for those familiar with spinal issues and ratings Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common cause of disc deterioration in the spine. A little used part of the musculoskeletal system may be expected to show evidence of disuse, either through atrophy, the condition of the skin, absence of normal callosity or the like. In addition, numerous research studies have shown a link between Degenerative Disc Disease and Radiculopathy; there is a strong bidirectional relationship where each disorder adversely influences the other one. It may cause back and neck pain and sometimes impact nerve function. However, if VA examiners arrive at this conclusion, they must provide adequate rationale to support their determination. If you have been diagnosed with a condition caused by military service, you may be eligible for disability benefits. The examiner will also often ask about the pain levels associated with your condition and what symptoms you experience. Determining Your Degenerative Disc Disease Disability Rating. Military burn pits are large areas of land that were used by the United States military to incinerate waste in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan in the post-9/11 era. You must also provide evidence that shows a service connected disability to your military service. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. If youre having difficulty with DDD, talk with a doctor or veterans service officer to learn more about your rights and benefits. Degenerative disc disease is the result of disc degeneration in the spine. DOC 4 - Veterans Affairs Degenerative arthritis of the spine (DC 5003) The last common method of establishing a rating for a back disability is through the VA's diagnostic code for degenerative arthritis. This results in numerous unpleasant and painful symptoms in veterans that may include: Your specific symptoms will depend on where in the spine the nerve root is pinched. The rating criteria for this diagnostic code is virtually the same as diagnostic code 5003, which is used to rate degenerative arthritis. Welcome to Brandon Orthopedics! When a spinal disc wears down over time, it causes back pain. With IVDS, these discs may be displaced at the lumbar, cervical, or thoracic areas of the spine. An individuals eligibility for DDD benefits can be determined by a number of factors. You must be open, honest, and truthful at your C&P exam for Degenerative Disc Disease, and make sure toSTOPthe C&P examiner as soon as you feel any discomfort or pain. There are a few different secondary conditions that can arise from degenerative disc disease. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. Fixed movement of the entire spine qualifies for a 100% rating. When a herniation of the disc occurs as a result of degeneration, it is the most common surgical treatment for this condition. Have you been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease? Review your medical records with a doctor familiar with VA law to get the best rating. What is Limitation of Range of Motion for VA Degenerative Disc Disease? While the ROM test is the primary factor in determining VA ratings for back and spine conditions, there are also other portions included in the C& P exams. The painful motion principle means that regardless of range of motion, if pain is present, the claimant should at least be awarded the minimum level of disability for that condition. Monitoring Your Disability Insurance Claim. 2023 Brandon Orthopedics | All Right Reserved, The Truth About Spinal Stenosis: Causes Symptoms And Treatments, Can Years Of Surfing Contribute To Spinal Stenosis, The Effects Of Spinal Stenosis And Carpal Tunnel, Should I Apply Ice Or Heat To A Compression Fracture, How Does A Soft Bed Prevent Healing Of Herniated Disc, Herniated Discs: How To Sleep Without Worrying About Rupturing Your Discs, If You Have A Herniated Disc You Know The Excruciating Pain It Can Cause. There are a few ways that veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. Our legal team can provide you with quality and experienced representation that is going to help you receive the benefits you deserve. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. Asthma is not a curable condition, but its symptoms can be controlled. The intent of the schedule is to recognize painful motion with joint or periarticular pathology as productive of disability. If you are unable to work because of a disability, you may be able to get a Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) deferment. Read Also: Chances Of Winning Disability In Federal Court. The VA could assign you a herniated disc disability rating from 10% to 100%. Part of aging is disk deterioration; however, it does not cause pain in everyone. This can make breathing difficult and result in coughing and wheezing when you breathe out, as well as shortness of breath. hay fever). It is often hard to get disability for degenerative disc disease. Just fill out the form and we will forward what benefits the VA is paying for the allergic rhinitis condition and how best to prove your need for disability compensation, along with other information and news about burn pit exposure. Brandon Callahan, MD is a board-certified orthopedic physician with a decade of experience in providing comprehensive orthopedic care to patients with musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. If you are suffering from the effects of cervical degenerative disc disease you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. A medical nexus, or link, between the in-service event and current diagnosis. This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs naturally and affects the discs in your spine. After leaving active duty, veterans may experience chronic or worsening pain. Men and women like you often perform strenuous tasks, including running, jumping, and lifting. The effects of DDD can be severe on a disabled Veterans family and finances. VA Disability For Back Arthritis - Vet Some veterans and active duty military members suffer from spinal or back pain after being discharged or while still serving. In order to apply for a secondary service connection, you must demonstrate that one disability resulted directly from the other. What is the Degenerative Disc Disease VA Rating? Include. You should consult with your doctor if you are experiencing back pain to find out what is causing it and how it is affecting you. One of the most common is for herniated discs to develop. Can I Receive VA Disability Benefits for Agent Orange Exposure? What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? (1) Limitation of Range of Motion and (2) Pain are the two most common factors that determine your final VA rating for back conditions such as Degenerative Disc Disease. Waste materials commonly disposed of in these burn pits include: Many veterans who were exposed to burn pits during their service and developed asthma may be able to seek service connection under this new presumption condition related to burn pit exposure. Degenerative Disc Disease is one of the most common causes of low back (lumbar), mid back (thoracic), and neck pain (cervical) in veterans. The VA rates a secondary condition separately. Contact us to take advantage of our free consultation. Chronic sinusitis occurs when youir sinuses are swollen and inflamed for three months or longer, despite treatment. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. Also Check: This Device Is Disabled Code 22. Degenerative disc disease is often accompanied by varying levels of pain. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. Intervertebral disc syndrome is a common cause of back pain. In order to qualify for disability benefits with degenerative disc disease, your condition needs to meet the criteria laid out in the Social Security Administration's Blue Book listing. Asthma symptoms will vary from person to person. It is a disease that occurs as a result of the degeneration of the discs in the spine. Receive answers to more of your VA disability claim questions. It is particularly difficult for people under the age of forty, as well as those under the age of fifty. I have a 20% rating for arthritis in my back, but can I get more for degenerative disc disease? These include aging, injury, and genetics. Degenerative Disc Disease is a painful spinal disorder caused by the steady degeneration of the intervertebral discs, which are the pads that cushion the bones in the vertebrae of your spine. They all go together, so make sure you work with an experienced lawyer to get ratings for all of them. ELITE Success: Its Never Too Late to Get Correctly Rated, How to Get a VA Rating for Veteran Orthopedic Conditions. As is evident from the rating schedules below, the highest possible schedular rating for any single neck impairment is 60 percent for veterans with severe intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease and Disability Benefits - brrlaw It is frequently caused by things like incorrectly lifting heavy objects, as well as chronic pain conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (also known as IVDS) is a back condition involving the intervertebral disc or disc fragments. The Essentials on VA Disability Ratings for Bulging Disc Eric Gang, ESQ Back pain is a common problem for veterans. The patient will be able to live a pain-free life without any limitations if a qualified healthcare provider manages their pain.